Best Extended Car Warranty, Reviewed by Experts (2024) (2024)

In our study of the best extended car warranties, five providers stood out: Endurance, autopom!, Carchex, CarShield and Omega Auto Care. In the sections below, we’ll discuss the extended warranty coverage offerings from these providers in detail.

Comparing the Best Extended Car Warranty Providers

Based on these criteria, our researchers found that the following providers offer the best extended car warranties on the market. Each provider is graded on a 10-point scale:

Read more:Best Car Warranty Companies

Best Bumper-to-Bumper Extended Warranty Plans

Bumper-to-bumper warranties offer the most comprehensive level of coverage you can buy. These plans are also called “exclusionary warranties” because they come with a list of what’s not covered rather than what is. The coverage found in these plans tends to be similar to the manufacturer’s warranty that comes with new cars.

1. Endurance: Supreme

Endurance Supreme earned the highest score in our extended car warranty study due to its impressive coverage and the company’s role as a direct provider, meaning that Endurance handles everything itself instead of relying on middlemen or third parties. This bumper-to-bumper option covers the vast majority of vehicle components and has only a short list of exclusions.

You’ll receive a free year of Endurance Elite Benefits if you pick the Endurance Supreme plan. This package includes perks such as key fob replacement, a tire allowance, collision discounts and up to $1,000 in total loss replacement. Endurance Elite Benefits also feature benefits like roadside assistance, towing services and rental car reimbursem*nt.

2. Omega Auto Care: New Exclusionary

Omega Auto Care’s New Exclusionary plan is a bumper-to-bumper extended warranty that covers nearly every component and system in your vehicle. It also pays for two hours’ worth of labor if you need an emergency repair.

The New Exclusionary plan also includes a robust roadside assistance package that includes towing, lock-out assistance, fluid delivery, jump starts and flat tire assistance. If you opt in to the Tire Hazard Protection program, tire replacements and repairs will be covered by Omega Auto Care.

3. CarShield: Diamond

The CarShield Diamond plan is a vehicle service contract offering coverage similar to a bumper-to-bumper warranty or a new car’s manufacturer warranty. It covers issues ranging from engine and transmission failure, to starter problems and fuel pump breakdowns. Coverage can last up to 300,000 miles, which is one of the longest mileage limits in the industry.

In addition to the components covered under the Diamond plan, most CarShield contracts also include emergency roadside assistance, towing reimbursem*nts up to $125, lockout and flat tire services and fuel deliveries.

Best Mid-Level Extended Warranty Plans

Unlike exclusionary coverage, mid-level and powertrain plans offer stated-component coverage. This type of contract lists every component that’s covered. If it’s not listed, it’s not covered. Many reliable warranty companies offer several mid-level contracts for people to choose from.

Also called “named-component” or “inclusionary” warranties, these contracts vary more between providers than bumper-to-bumper or powertrain plans. Due to their balance of cost and coverage, stated-component plans tend to be good options for used cars with high mileage. Below are mid-level extended warranty plans from some of our top providers.

1. CarShield: Platinum

The CarShield Platinum plan is one of the more comprehensive stated-component extended warranties we found through our research. It features coverage for 15 of a vehicle’s major systems, including for its air conditioning, power steering and cooling parts.

While there are some exclusions, the CarShield Platinum plan covers much of a car’s electrical system, including its power windows. It even takes care of high-tech electronics such as GPS units and infotainment systems.

2. Endurance: Superior

Endurance offers one of the most complete stated-component coverage plans available with its Superior plan. This option covers nearly everything from the company’s bumper-to-bumper Supreme coverage minus your car’s seals, gaskets and a few minor items.

Like the Supreme plan, the Superior plan comes with a free year of Endurance Elite Benefits. It also comes with benefits like trip interruption coverage and roadside assistance, which last for the duration of your extended warranty contract.

3. Carchex: Platinum

The Carchex Platinum plan is another of the most comprehensive stated-component plans on the market. It covers hundreds of components across 15 major systems in your vehicle, including high-tech electronics, audio, emissions and brakes.

While the plan covers a wide range of parts, it doesn’t protect wear-and-tear items like hoses, housing units, individual bulbs or serpentine belts. There’s also a limit to the plan’s roadside assistance, capping at $125 per occurrence.

Best Powertrain Extended Warranty Plans

Powertrain extended warranties are the lowest coverage tier and are usually the most affordable. They offer basic protection for a car’s most vital systems, making them the best extended car warranty plans for those on a budget. While there are differences between powertrain choices, they typically cover the engine, transmission and drive axles.

1. Carchex: Powertrain Coverage

Drivers looking for bargain-priced coverage from a reputable provider have a strong option with Carchex’s Powertrain Coverage. The plan is bare-bones and only offers coverage for essential components, but it has a low price to match. It’s administered by American Auto Shield and includes perks like roadside assistance and towing coverage.

2. Omega Auto Care: Powertrain

If you need a simple and affordable warranty plan that protects the most vital parts of your vehicle, Omega Auto Care’s Powertrain plan might fit the bill. The company offers three different powertrain plans to choose from, ranging from basic protection to enhanced coverage. All Omega warranties are administered by Lyndon Southern Insurance Company and are available across the nation.

3. CarShield: Gold and Silver

If you want your choice of powertrain extended warranties, CarShield is worth looking into. The company offers a Gold Plan, which is essentially a Powertrain Plus plan, and a Silver Plan that offers basic powertrain coverage. The Gold Plan covers the engine, transmission, water pump, starter, alternator, air conditioning and power window motors. The lower-tiered Silver Plan still protects your vehicles most essential components, including the engine, transmission and water pump.

Now that we’ve covered the providers with the best coverage option, our editorial team analyzed the best cheap extended car warranty companies, looking specifically at costs and plan offerings. For this category, we gave autopom!, American Dream Auto Protect and Endurance the highest cost ratings in our industry-wide study.

The table below provides a closer look into these companies, including the overall cost score given by our team, the cheapest plan and rate. The monthly rates are each based on quotes for a 2021 Toyota Tacoma.

Autopom! offers affordable options at each coverage level, which gave it the highest rating in the cost category. The company gives you deductible choices of $0, $50, $100 and $200. Combined with its reputation for excellent customer service and the affordable coverage autopom! offers, the company becomes even more appealing.

American Dream Auto Protect also features quality warranty coverage at below-average prices. The company features a wide range of deductible options that depend on your vehicle’s age and mileage. We also like the fact that American Dream offers a discount for protecting multiple vehicles.

Endurance is our top choice for many reasons, and cost is certainly on the list. With an unmatched assortment of coverage options and added benefits, the provider’s pricing is especially impressive. Endurance also offers a host of discounts, including same-day savings when you sign up for a plan.

Compare Extended Car Warranty Prices

To find the cheapest car warranty company that fits your needs, it’s best to compare free quotes from several providers. Here are a few extended warranty costs we received between summer 2023 and April 2024 from Endurance, Olive, Carchex, CarShield and Omega Auto Care:

Read more: Cheapest Extended Car Warranties

While there are many manufacturers in the car industry, Audi, Ford and Honda stood out for offering the best extended manufacturer warranties. Each brand offers extensive extended warranty plans that can be added on once the factory warranty expires.

The table below lists more information about each of the top three extended warranty manufacturers, along with the number of plans each offers and the term length.

1. Audi: Best Overall Manufacturer Extended Warranty

Audi stands out from other vehicle manufacturers because it offers protection up to 10 years or 150,000 miles. The manufacturer offers three warranty plans — Platinum, Gold and Powertrain — that range from comprehensive bumper-to-bumper protection to basic powertrain coverage.

Most of the extended warranties offered by Audi come with a $100 deductible and benefits like roadside assistance, towing, rental car coverage and trip interruption protection.

Read more: Audi Extended Warranty

Ford offers four different coverage levels for drivers who want to purchase an extended warranty from the manufacturer. Plans can last up to 10 years or 175,000 miles, with most plans coming with a $100 deductible. The highest-tiered plan, PremiumCARE, protects over 1,000 vehicle components, while the most basic plan, PowertrainCARE, covers 29 components including the engine and transmission.

Read more: Ford extended warranty

3. Honda: Robust Vehicle Protection

Honda’s Honda Care extended warranty is a single plan that can offer protection up to eight years or 120,000 miles. This plan is different from the others on this list because it can only be purchased when you buy your new Honda vehicle. Despite this, Honda Care offers robust protection for your vehicle, covering the powertrain, electronic systems, air conditioning, heating, suspension, brake and steering systems.

The Honda Care service plan also includes benefits like roadside assistance, rental car reimbursem*nt and trip interruption coverage.

Read more: Honda extended warranty

Read more: Best Extended Manufacturer Warranties

An extended car warranty— also called a vehicle protection plan or vehicle service contract— foots the bill for damage caused by defective materials and workmanship after your factory warranty expires. In doing so, it protects you from having to pay out of pocket for certain vehicle repairs or part replacements.

However, it’s still a significant financial investment, which is why it’s important to evaluate your needs before you’re stuck with coverage from a low-quality provider. We put together the following sections as an extended warranty guide to help you make an informed decision about the best extended car warranty coverage plans.

Extended Car Warranty Coverage

Extended warranties cover major mechanical repairs and replacements for parts that break down over time as a result of normal use. Examples include your air conditioning blowing warm air, an alternator failing or the fuel system not providing the right mix of fuel and air. But ultimately, vehicle service contract coverage will depend on the level of coverage you choose and on the company you buy it from.

Bumper-to-bumper extended warranty plans cover everything that’s not specifically listed as an exclusion in the contract. Stated-component, powertrain plus and powertrain plans list out the components and systems they do cover.

Inclusionary vs. Exclusionary Coverage

In terms of the kinds of warranty coverage available, you’ll see that most plans fall into one of two categories: exclusionary or inclusionary.

Inclusionary Car Warranty

When looking through an inclusionary car warranty, you’ll find a list detailing exactly what the service contract covers. Because these plans only show you what’s covered, you’ll sometimes see them referred to as stated-component warranties.

Most extended warranty contracts are inclusionary. Though higher-level inclusionary warranties tend to offer comprehensive coverage, it’s not quite as extensive as a bumper-to-bumper plan. Mid-level inclusionary contracts split the difference between basic and more comprehensive coverage.

The lowest-tier inclusionary plans most companies offer resemble powertrain warranties, which only cover the engine, transmission and drive axles. These are the most expensive and basic components of automobiles.

Exclusionary Car Warranty

You’ll usually see exclusionary auto warranties referred to as bumper-to-bumper warranties. These kinds of protection plans cover nearly every component and all major systems of your vehicle, including the following:

• Engine
• Transmission
• Drive axle
• Electrical systems
• Alternator
• Air conditioning

These warranty contracts are called exclusionary because they only list exclusions — the parts not covered. So, if a part isn’t listed in the exclusionary contract, you can safely know that it’s covered.

Most extended warranty companies only offer one exclusionary warranty, which is usually the highest level of coverage available. Bumper-to-bumper warranties are most similar to factory warranties, and because they cover the largest number of components, they tend to be the most expensive coverage option.

Types of Extended Auto Warranty Plans

As discussed throughout the article, there are several different types of extended car warranty plans. The specific parts and repairs covered in your extended warranty depend on what coverage level you choose. The three main types of extended warranty coverage plans are bumper-to-bumper, stated-component and powertrain.

The components covered in each warranty type are explained below:

• Bumper-to-bumper warranty: A bumper-to-bumper extended warranty, also referred to as an exclusionary coverage plan, is the highest level of coverage typically available. Aside from a list of exclusions, they protect almost all mechanical and electrical components between your bumpers during a mechanical breakdown. These exclusions will vary from company to company but typically include tires, brake pads, windshield wipers and routine maintenance like oil changes and tire rotations. Bumper-to-bumper warranties are most similar to your original manufacturer’s warranty.
• Stated-component warranty: Most stated-component extended warranties, also referred to as named-component warranties, cover the most vital parts of your vehicle. This means contracts will list each covered component and can range from powertrain warranties, which cover your vehicle’s most essential parts, to more comprehensive coverage plans that cover components like the water pump, air conditioning, gaskets and alternator. And while most stated-component plans come with roadside assistance, towing, trip interruption and rental car coverage, they typically won’t cover any wear-and-tear or maintenance.
• Powertrain warranty: These warranties cover only your vehicle’s major systems, including the engine, transmission, drive train and drive axles. A powertrain warranty is the most basic type of stated-component contract.

Extended Warranty Coverage Benefits

Many of the best car warranty companies throw in a few bonus perks with each of their service plans, such as:

• Rental car reimbursem*nt: If your car’s in the shop and you need transportation, your warranty company will help you get a rental car.
• 24-hour roadside assistance: If you get a flat tire or need a jump-start when traveling, your warranty company will send someone to help.
• Towing services: If your car breaks down and isn’t driveable, your provider will send a truck to tow your vehicle to the nearest repair shop.
• Trip interruption coverage: If your vehicle breaks down and you can’t make it home, your warranty company will help cover your lodging and food expenses while your car gets fixed in the repair facility.

What an Extended Car Warranty Doesn’t Cover

While specific coverage varies from one provider to the next, all extended warranty contracts have some exclusions. For the most part, extended warranties won’t cover any routine maintenance like oil changes, wear and tear items, such as brake pads, cosmetic items or emissions components. They also won’t cover collisions, environmental damage, theft or vandalism.

Here are some of the most common exclusions:

• Wear and tear items: Brake pads, rotors, windshield wiper blades and inserts, tires, hoses, spark plugs, filters, bulbs, belts and other items that need regular replacement are rarely covered — even by the best extended car warranty plans.
• Routine maintenance: Most warranties don’t cover services that are part of your regular maintenance schedule such as oil changes, alignments and tire rotations.
• Collision damage: Damage that comes as a result of an auto accident falls under the responsibility of your car insurance company and is not typically covered by an extended auto warranty plan.
• Damage from neglect: Failing to follow your manufacturer’s suggested maintenance schedule could void your warranty coverage.
• Damage from misuse: If your car breaks down as a result of using it in reckless ways like street racing or towing over capacity, your coverage plan won’t pay for repairs.
• Damage from modifications: Most warranty plans won’t cover damages caused by unauthorized aftermarket parts or modifications you’ve made to the vehicle.
• Environmental damage: Corrosion and other damages caused by weather or other environmental factors are not typically covered by an extended car warranty.
• Incidental damage: Damages caused by theft, vandalism, fire or sources other than normal mechanical failure won’t usually be covered by an auto warranty provider. These repairs are instead typically covered under a comprehensive auto insurance policy.

Depending on the company you select, you may find warranty options that include maintenance plans. These let you pay a specific amount up front to cover routine maintenance items for a certain period of time.

If your warranty provider doesn’t offer a maintenance package, you may want to look into purchasing mechanical breakdown insurance from your car insurance company.

How Do Extended Warranties Work?

An extended auto warranty, sometimes referred to as a vehicle service contract, is an optional contractual agreement that says a company will cover the cost of repairs and replacement parts if your car has a mechanical breakdown for a monthly or total plan cost.

When you purchase a new car from a dealership, it usually comes with a factory warranty, also known as a manufacturer’s warranty. These are service contracts backed by the automaker that guarantees certain repairs and parts will be covered by the manufacturer.

These car warranties cover most of your new vehicle’s components, but typically only last for the first few years that you own the car. They also have low mileage limits, so if you drive often, factory coverage may expire quickly. An extended car warranty continues your protection coverage, whether you bought it from a manufacturer or an aftermarket provider.

Most extended warranty providers are actually brokers that sell plans by other administrators (the administrator is the one you call to file a claim). This is the most common industry practice, so it’s important to look into a company’s administrators when you shop around.

Coverage Periods

Most car warranties, whether a manufacturer warranty or extended, are set for a specific distance in miles and period of time. For a factory warranty, most coverage lasts for three years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first.

But with an extended car warranty, term lengths tend to be customizable and last for an extended period of time. For example, you can purchase a vehicle service contract with a company like CarShield and have your car covered up to 300,000 miles on the odometer.

In addition to offering customizable coverage lengths, most extended warranty companies will allow you to transfer your contract if you sell your vehicle. Your extended warranty will essentially be taken over by the buyer, who will continue making monthly payments or just use the contract if it’s already been paid off, which can actually make your vehicle more marketable when selling.

The best car warranty companies also allow you to cancel your policy within a specified time frame. In general, companies will provide you with a 30-day money-back guarantee if you’re not happy with your extended warranty purchase.

What Repair Shops Take Extended Car Warranties?

If you’re using your extended car warranty coverage for the first time, there are a few things you should know. Most vehicle service contracts only cover specific components, which likely means not every part of your vehicle is covered under warranty. It’s important that you read the fine print to know what is and isn’t covered if your vehicle has a mechanical breakdown.

If you experience a mechanical breakdown, like an air conditioning failure or transmission malfunction, you’ll need to take your vehicle to an in-network repair facility that’s certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).

Keep in mind that some companies will only allow you to take your vehicle to specific repair shops or dealerships, which may not be accessible depending on where you live.

If your car does break down, here are some things you should immediately do:

• Take your vehicle to a licensed repair shop or dealership that is associated with your car warranty company
• Have the facility call your warranty provider for authorization
• Pay your deductible if you have one

Your warranty provider will then likely pay the repair shop directly for any vehicle repairs that are covered under your extended warranty.

Extended Car Warranty Claims Process

You’re required to follow your provider’s claims process in order to receive coverage. Before the repair shop can work on your vehicle, you’ll need to get approval from your contract administrator for a covered repair. In some cases, a vehicle inspection or teardown may be required.

After the repair is performed, you’ll pay a deductible to the facility. Based on your provider, either the rest of the repair bill will be paid directly to the shop or you’ll pay the balance and be sent a reimbursem*nt check.

Purchasing an extended warranty can be a smart choice for some car owners, but it isn’t the right decision for everyone. For this reason, it’s best to consider your situation when shopping for a contract.

Since cars with higher repair costs benefit most from extended warranties, your expected vehicle repair expenses are the most important factor in determining whether or not an extended car warranty is worth it. Here are some average annual repair costs for popular automakers, according to RepairPal:

After considering your expected repair costs, you may determine that an extended warranty is worth it because you cannot afford to pay out of pocket for unexpected repairs. On the other hand, if your car doesn’t incur a lot of repair costs, you may decide that purchasing an extended warranty isn’t worth it.

Should I Buy an Extended Car Warranty?

If you own a highly reliable vehicle with inexpensive repair costs or plan to sell your car before the factory warranty expires, a vehicle protection plan may not be worth the cost. This is also true for drivers with savings set aside for auto repairs.

An extended warranty is typically worth it for drivers who own unreliable vehicles that are expensive to maintain or if covered repair costs meet or exceed the total price of the plan. Others who are likely to see the most benefits from extended warranty coverage include:

• Drivers who want peace of mind: Vehicle repairs can be costly to pay for out of pocket. Once your manufacturer’s warranty expires, you’re financially responsible for any mechanical or electrical breakdowns. Extended warranties foot the bill for covered repairs, which can provide peace of mind and make car ownership less of a hassle, especially for those with older cars.
• Drivers who want a predictable auto budget: By paying for a vehicle service contract up front, through a monthly payment plan or as part of your vehicle’s financing, you can avoid expensive and costly repair bills after an unexpected mechanical breakdown. Instead, just pay your monthly amount and your deductible in case of an accident, which can make ironing out your finances easier and more predictable over time.
• Drivers who plan on owning their vehicle for a long time: According to research from Statista, the average age of operable light vehicles in the U.S. was 12.5 years as of 2023. Since most manufacturers’ bumper-to-bumper warranties expire within 4 years/50,000 miles, you could be driving an unprotected vehicle for over half its life span. If you plan on driving your car for a long time, warranty coverage could help prevent costly repair bills.
• Drivers who want the perks that come with an extended warranty: The best extended auto warranty plans come with perks like roadside assistance, trip interruption coverage, rental car reimbursem*nt and maintenance benefits, like free oil changes and tire rotations. These perks can be valuable since you’d have to pay for them out of pocket otherwise.

Read more: Should You Get An Extended Warranty?

If you have decided an extended warranty is right for your situation, it’s important to do your research during the buying process. This starts with understanding the various types of extended warranties offered by your automaker or an aftermarket warranty provider. The option that is right for you depends on your vehicle, coverage needs and personal preferences.

Aftermarket Extended Warranty vs. Manufacturer Extended Warranty

You can either buy warranty coverage from an aftermarket (or third-party) provider or your car manufacturer, and each type of plan has its benefits and disadvantages. Here are a few things to consider when you’re deciding which type of extended warranty you want:

Third-Party vs. Manufacturer Warranties: Pros and Cons

There are pros and cons to any vehicle protection contract, and we’ll outline the main characteristics of third-party and manufacturer warranties below:

Vehicle Service Contracts: What To Look For

After you decide where you want to purchase your coverage, it’s important to understand what is and isn’t covered in your contract. Based on our research and surveys, one of the top complaints from drivers who have purchased extended warranties is that expensive repairs weren’t covered.

To avoid disappointment down the road, read the fine print on your contract thoroughly before buying the plan. Look for specifications on:

• Labor rate coverage limits
• What defines mechanical failure
• Maximum payout per contract
• Original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts coverage
• Waiting periods or inspections required before coverage
• Required maintenance documentation
• Emergency repair procedures
• Cancellations (make sure there’s a money-back guarantee) and contract transfers

Our Extended Warranty Survey

In November 2023, our team surveyed 1,000 people who had purchased an extended car warranty. Coverage was the most important factor when choosing a provider for 53% of respondents. Cost was second, with 23% of those surveyed reporting that the price of the warranty was the most important consideration.

Compare Extended Car Warranty Quotes

Once you understand the coverage that’s available and have determined the level of protection you need, the best way to get the most bang for your buck when purchasing an extended warranty is to get and compare extended warranty quotes.

To get the best deal possible, we recommend reaching out to at least three companies that offer the best extended car warranty plans so you can compare your options. In addition to checking out our top recommendations, it’s a good idea to read customer reviews and research companies through online resources like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website and Trustpilot.

To get a car warranty quote, you will need to provide each company with some basic information about your vehicle, such as its mileage, make and model, which will be used to estimate your price.

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